Sprint's 'Curiosity' Aims to Advance an IoT-Connected World
*By Samantha Errico*
As our world becomes more digital, companies are increasingly turning to the "internet of things" to inform their business practices. One such company is cellphone-service provider Sprint, which recently announced a "Curiosity IoT" platform ー a network designed to turn sensor data into "actionable intelligence," according to the chief of products and solutions at the IoT division, Ricky Singh.
Although the project is still in its early stages, Singh hopes that this core network will "create an intrinsic part of the ecosystem that helps bring solutions to bear that do impact our lives positively."
The internet of things, Singh told Cheddar, is enabling smart homes and smart buildings to be safer and more efficient. For example, IoT sensors can send users a phone notification when a person arrives at office ー those censors can also dim the lights when that user leaves a common area in his or her office building.
On a fundamental level, Singh said, IoT aims to create new experiences and services for guests, up the levels of efficiency for building owners, and reinforce safety and security for tenants.
"We're seeing traditional work spaces being evolved in more collaborative fashions ー you go there to interact with your co-workers rather than sit at a desk and work," Singh said. "And for the gig economy specifically, we're seeing the rise of companies like WeWork that provide co-sharing spaces that are all sort of powered in many ways by IoT. "
"Digitization of everything has really impacted what going into the office or building means for us," Singh said.
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Jack Dorsey has officially stepped down as CEO of Twitter.
In a statement -- he says he is leaving because the company is ready to move on from its founders. Tom Morton, Global Chief Strategy Officer, R/GA joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the implications of the move.
Mike Proulx, VP and research director at Forrester, joined Cheddar to talk about what Jack Dorsey's departure from Twitter as CEO means for the social media platform. He noted that while Dorsey had been the face of the company, "he's been a part-time CEO" since also taking on the leadership position at Square. Stepping down from leading Twitter allows his replacement Parag Agrawal, the former CTO, to be a dedicated leader of the company. However, Proulx noted that Agrawal faces headwinds on policy and political ramifications that will come with the job.
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